Daily London
Terrified children ducked for cover inside a school bus as the allegedly stolen Kia Optima reversed into it near Matthew Flinders Girls’ Secondary College in Newtown.
Officers shot at the Kia as it allegedly sped at them and crashed into another vehicle. A man and a woman jumped out of the Kia and allegedly tried to flee on foot.
Footage shows police cars surrounding the intersection of LaTrobe Terrace and Myers Street outside the school where the pair were arrested.
A 37-year-old man was taken to hospital under police guard with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the arm.
A 37-year-old woman was taken to hospital under police guard with minor injuries.
The female driver of the vehicle hit by the Kia suffered minor injuries.
The police chase began when the Kia was spotted by the police Air Wing near the intersection of the Princes Highway and Roebuck Street in the Geelong suburb of Newtown about 3.40pm.
Police have said there is no threat to the community.
“This event would’ve been absolutely terrifying for anyone who was there, let alone for the many school kids who were all on their first day of school today,” Commander Melissa Webbers said.
“I’m really dismayed to see such violent and reckless behaviour exhibited by this offender, who put our community at risk, who put our police at risk.
“We are really fortunate today that none of our community and none of our police have been injured in this incident.
“I want to assure the community the offenders for this matter are in custody and we aren’t looking for anyone else.
“There were lots of children, it was the start of the school year and it was absolutely traumatic, I’m sure for all of those people that were there.”
Witness Chaz Cheatley said he was in “disbelief” when he saw the incident unfold while waiting at a red light at the intersection of LaTrobe Terrace and Myers Street.
“I was a little bit worried, especially when I started hearing shots,” Chaz said.
“Basically felt like I was watching a movie, it was all just happening in front of me.”
Cheatley said the allegedly stolen car came “out of nowhere”, followed by police.
“They hit the traffic pole, they knocked that down, as they were trying to flee the scene they go through the intersection, and then they end up t-boning another car,” he claimed.
Armed Crime Squad detectives will investigate the incident with Professional Standards Command oversight, as is standard practice when a police firearm is discharged.
It’s alleged the Kia was stolen in NSW.
Latrobe Terrace was closed both directions between Ryrie Street and McKillop Street.
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